Catalogue Number
NMLH.1994.168.596
Object Name
Print
Title
The Gaol Bird, Madame you are free print
People
Clemenceau, Lloyd George and Wilson
Events
The Treaty of Versailles
Date
1919
Description
A3 print/cartoon/poster from a newspaper. On card board, with frayed edges, slight rips, and blue colouring at the top. It looks like the print of the cartoon has been stuck onto a piece of cardboard that had something else on it prior. The rest of the poster is a yellowed brown and yellow. The cartoon shows a group of figures in front of a prison gate. One larger figure has wings, representing 'peace." Peace looks upwards but is prevented from flying because she is chained to a large metal ball labelled "Treaty 1919." Behind her are three men, representing Clemenceau, Lloyd George and Wilson - one of them holds a key. The caption at the bottom of the print is in black text and reads "MADAM, YOU ARE FREE." "Gaol bird" means a criminal who has been jailed repeatedly. This cartoon is relating to the peace treaty ending the First World War, and was originally published the "Daily Herald." This Gaol bird is a symbol of the broken aspect of peace - chained to the treaty of Versailles,
implying that lasting peace is prevented by the constraints of the treaty. The Treaty of Versailles was a very important peace treaty which brought World War 1 to an end. The treaty ended the state of war between Germany and the allied powers - it was signed in June in 1919. The other central powers on the German side signed separate treaties. Many criticised the treaty at the time - The British government and news response saw the French policy as greedy. The main terms of the treaty of Versailles were that Germany had to accept the guilt for starting the war, Germany was demilitarised, reparations and Germany gave away some of their colonies. There is a stamp at the top of the print saying "J.K Collection NO." On the top left of the cartoon someone has handwritten "Versailles treaty" in blue pen. On the back of the print there is large writing in pencil saying "I O B."
Multimedia
